Adoption Information

What’s Included with Each Adoption

Adoption Process

Our Adoption Center is open 11am-6:30pm, Monday through Friday, and 10am-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is closed on major holidays.

We recommend planning your visit to be at least 1-2 hours, depending on the day of the week and time of day you visit. Adoption introductions are made in order of guest arrival and those who have adoption holds on pets. Once you have made the decision to adopt, your paperwork will take approximately 20-30 minutes to be completed. Please bring an ID with you to assist with completion of your adoption paperwork.

Waiting times vary by time and day, we appreciate your patience while we ensure you and your pet are sent home with everything you need to start your exciting life together!

Adoption Fees

Dog adoption fees range from $19 to $499

Cat adoption fees range from $10 to $199

Small Animal adoption fees range from $5 to $149

Our adoption fees help to offset the cost of evaluation, housing, feeding and medical care for the thousands of animals that need our help. We do our best to keep our adoption prices reasonable while generating income to support our goal of caring for animals available for adoption until we can place them in a loving home. Your donations also leave a legacy of care for the animals who will follow in your footsteps, looking for their loving homes.

The adoption fee for each animal varies and is dependent on many factors including: age, size, behavior, medical condition and public demand. Please see below for additional information about our V.I.P.’s – Very Important Pets pricing!

Placing an animal on “hold”

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley allows families or individuals to place “holds” on animals so that they may take time making adoption decisions, introducing family members and other pets, researching breed traits, and plan visits to the shelter without stress. Holds may be placed over the phone or in person, and in the case of a “tie”, the individual physically visiting the shelter and the animal will be awarded first position.

Adoption holds may only be placed during regular business hours, in person or by phone, by talking to a team member and paying the following hold fees: 1st hold, $20.00; 2nd hold, $10.00. We are unable to accept holds via email or social media request.

*Hold fees are administrative and therefore non-refundable, not tax-deductible donations, and are not applied towards the adoption fee.

V.I.P. Very Important Pets

Some of the animals in our adoption center are V.I.P’s! V.I.P. animals are those that are in high demand and quickly find a loving home. You will notice that our V.I.P. animals have higher adoption prices – this is because they leave a financial legacy for the other animals in our care who may need extensive medical care or more time to find a loving home.

Animal photos are updated continually so you can see everyone who is available at the adoption center. Rather than delay an animal’s website apperance because volunteers haven’t had a chance to take their glamour shot, we just want to give you a glimpse of their personality and encourage you to come on in and meet them in person!

At the Humane Society of Boulder Valley we are commited to finding homes for companion animals. Our progressive adoption program places thousands of lost, abandoned and unwanted pets with loving guardians. Financial contributions from our community and supporters directly benefit our animals.

Pet Guardianship Information

Our adoptions are Satisfaction Guaranteed!

While there is a person for every animal, we know that not every animal is for every person. If you adopt an animal from HSBV and discover that you are not compatible due to behavior concerns or medical issues, you may return your pet at any time and your adoption fee will be refunded.

Where do our animals come from?

The animals in our adoption center come to us in several different ways. Many of our dogs come to us through our active transfer program. Some are surrendered by their guardians due to compatibility differences or living constraints. Others are found as strays and if they have not been claimed from Lost and Found within 5 days, may become eligible for adoption. We also occasionally partner with other organizations, such as the ASPCA or HSUS in helping take animals from hoarding situations or puppy mills.

Every year, animal shelters around the country receive more dogs and cats than they can possibly find homes for in their communities. We know what that’s like and strive every day to find homes for all of our adoptable pets. While we still have some pet overpopulation issues, our community has done a great job in focusing on the importance of responsible pet guardianship, including spaying and neutering their own pets to decrease pet overpopulation in and around Boulder County.